They always say that something is better than nothing, and it couldn't be truer in an anemic economy. For those who may have been out of work or are having difficulty making ends meet, there's good news.

While the unemployment rate is dropping, the media tend to neglect mentioning where the pick-up in jobs is coming from. Part-time jobs are abundant and are filling up fast. People might not be able to live off a part-time job but the flexibility in hours lets people get back on their feet.

It's common for people to work two part-time jobs and make just as much as they would working full-time. Here are some of the top part-time gigs that could make all the difference between swimming and treading financial waters.

Waiting TablesA part-time serving job is by far one of the most sought after and attractive jobs for people looking to make quick money. Naturally, they're all after one thing: tips. People who work at nice restaurants and are exceptional at providing good guest service can easily turn their occupation into a permanent livelihood. Wait staff get to take home money on a daily basis and still receive a paycheck. The hospitality industry, however, is usually fast-paced so servers need to be quick on their feet, able to memorize the menu, and have a great deal of patience. It isn't for everyone, but those that can handle it well can find serving as a suitable career move.

Painting HousesWork as house painter isn't exacty glamorous. Plus, the hours can be long and fairly arduous. Yet, there are plenty of people who stack up a good amount of extra cash from summers of house painting. The average salary for a full-time painter is about $31,000 a year so even earning part-time wages can prove to be very beneficial to slipping incomes.

BookkeepingBookkeepers are an important part of all businesses since they are the people looking after the finances. Companies need people with solid accounting abilities and are familiar with software like QuickBooks. Bookkeeping is a niche skillset that can set those who are good at it apart from both other bookkeepers and industries. Bookkeeping work can also be part-time, done from home and during flexible hours. There's a lot of potential to earn good money in bookkeeping whether full or part-time.

LandscapingLandscaping is more than just gardening. It takes a creative eye to create scenery that appeals to all the senses. People who enjoy working outdoors and hands-on would make a good fit for a landscaping job. It's especially ideal for people who want to work on their own schedule.

Many landscapers are self-employed so the only boss they have to report to are themselves. They can also end up making more money being self-employed as opposed to for another employer. Keep in mind that landscaping also doesn't have to be limited to seasons or regions. Landscaping may be needed for all kinds of work whether it be on grass or snow.

Social MediaSocial media is making waves in all industries from entertainment to politics. These jobs can easily be done through telecommunications so many companies will hire part-timers to do the work remotely. Companies are looking for the extra set of hands without having to take on another full-time employee. These types of jobs are suitable for freelancers and people wanting to fatten up their wallets a bit. Part time social media specialists can earn an hourly rate from $20-$50 depending on their experience and web-savviness. There are no shortages of capable people for the job and it requires no formal education so it's best to get into it if you want somethinig to add to an existing main source of income.

When companies are down-sizing, the addition of part-time jobs are what's keeping the economy from collapsing entirely. Part-time workers benefit both the employer and employee. The employer can cut back on the addtional costs of compensating a full-time employee (like benefits and salaries) and the employee can rest easier knowing that they can expect the number in their bank accounts to always stay on the plus side.

There are plenty of part-time jobs out there, usually more than full-time, that are easy to get. Whatever the circumstance, if you've got money problems, a part-time job may be the right remedy.

If you've never worked for a small business before then you might be hesitant to when you don't know what to expect. Questions might be running through your head like, "Will I still have the same benefits?" and "Am I going to be paid less?" The thing to remember about a small business is that is it still business.

While you may not get all the same perks of working for a major corporation, small businesses have pros of their that you can't get from big companies. Those who have limited their job searches because of reservations toward a small businesses, considering the following things can help you better determine whether a position at a small business is right for you.

CONS:CompensationBecause your position at a small business might be more solid, you can't be expected to be paid handsomely. Small companies are usually small for a reason as they lack the endless funding that larger corporations have and need to pay the hundreds for thousands of workers it employs. In a small business setting, the rewards come in different packages. Perhaps not you benefits package, but the cordial environment is often enough to make working there worth it.

StaffingSmall businesses will have few staff members which means that each person has more weight to carry. Some departments might be a one-man show so taking time off for whatever reason might be more of an issue. If you're the only person who knows how to do your job you might want to plan on pushing back any travel arrangements you might have as the chances of keeping them could be slim.

InformalityWhile the comradery within a small business is a good thing to have, the familiarity can be problematic in some cases. Where strong leadership is lacking, people may feel compelled to take the reins themselves while others might not be on board with that idea. Attitude clashing between colleages can keep a small business down and if you've noticed that the position you would be taking hasn't held on to its takers for long then this might not be the place for you.

PROS:AccessibilityThe divide between management and employees in small businesses is much less. If you have something you want to mention to the boss like an idea or a problem, the direct connection is open and available. At a small business you can expect to know your boss one-on-one and feel more of that team spirit with your colleagues.

The atmosphere is much more close-knit since you're more like one of the fish in a pond rather than a vast ocean. You get to know who you're working with on a more personal level instead of trying to memorize each and every name in department at a big company. Collaboration in this setting is much easier to accomplish because of the team feel and it's less likely that someone will be looking out for number one.

LoyaltyThe vibe at small businesses are much more casual. Where everyone knows one another, formalities are unnecessary. Because of this, more consideration is taken when it comes to vacation days, raises, and even disciplinary actions. The business line, however, is meant to keep things on a professional keel. Small businesses doesn't mean letting personal issues interfere and creating things like favoritism.

Small businesses tend to build a greater sense of loyalty company because you have our coworkers to look out for. When working closely with a certain group of people, the level of respect is also greater between colleauges who interact on a friendly basis as well.

SecuritySmall businesses typically serve a particular purpose. Whatever it is that it specializes in, there are the those who stay heavily involved that play the role of the specialists (usually founder or high-ranking officer). These people have visions that they want realized and in doing so they'll want to bring on people they know are in it for the long-haul, people to help get the company up and going.

At a small business, people aren't seen as expendable which alleviates some of the stress and worries that some at larger companies may have about having their jobs handed over to the next qualified candidate. A person overseeing how the company expands is much different than some unknown entity at the top pulling strings. In order to build a strong company, a small business needs a strong foundation therefore your position will unlikely be eliminated.

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